Joining device

ABSTRACT

A device for joining a first building element to a second building element has a bridge element that is in contact with the first and second building elements to connect the first and second building elements when in a working position, and a first element secured to the first building element by being embedded therein. The first element cooperates with the bridge element. An elastic sleeve is arranged between the first element and the first building element. The elastic sleeve has at least one internal groove, thereby forming at least one cavity between the elastic sleeve and the first element.

The present invention relates to a device for joining two building elements, for example a landing and a wall, a column and a beam or a staircase and a stair element. At least one of the two building elements that have to be joined is a cast element.

When joining elements in order to assemble a building, it is desirable that this should be done in as easy a way as possible while at the same time avoiding exposing personnel to unnecessary risks. In this connection a plurality of systems have been developed for joining two building elements, where the joining systems generally comprise pre-installed elements in the building elements which, when the elements are lifted into their utilisation site, can be easily adjusted so as to give engagement between the two building elements. One possible solution is to arrange a box element in each of the building elements while having a bridge element movably mounted in one of the box elements which is moved into engagement with the second building element, with the result that the bridge element in a joined position is placed in contact with both the building elements, transferring forces between them. This bridge element can be moved inside the box element in several ways, for example by mechanical and/or hydraulic influence in the rear edge of the bridge element, by pulling a rope or the like. Another solution is to arrange a part of a joining system in one of the building elements by, for example, embedding it in the building element. This first part of the joining system has a projecting element where the second part of the joining system can be fastened to this projecting element, thereby achieving a joining of the two building elements. These solutions are solutions which can be grouted after joining, i.e. the space between the building elements is filled with grouting compound. Examples of joining systems are described in NO B1 316180, GB 1400595 and EP B1 0423660.

A problem with these known solutions is sound transfer between the building elements in such systems. Where the bridge element solution does not have to be grouted, a seating washer may be mounted in the lower edge of the bridge element to prevent sound transfer between the building elements. Where the systems, for example, have to be grouted in the gap between the building elements, a washer of this kind does not provide sufficient sound insulation between the building elements.

An object of the present invention is to provide a solution which gives sound insulation between two joined building elements. It is also an object to provide a solution which is easy to use and which does not create greater difficulties in joining the building elements than the currently existing systems. It is also an object to provide a solution for sound insulation which is effective both during installation and during use. It is also an object to provide a solution which can be employed with different types of joining systems.

These objects are achieved by devices and a use as indicated in the following claims.

The invention relates to a device for joining two building elements, which device comprises a first element secured to one of the building elements, which first element is adapted for cooperation with a bridge element which in a working position is in contact with both the first and second building element, connecting the building elements and transferring forces between the building elements. The two building elements may be a landing and a wall, a column and a beam, a staircase and a stair element or other similar interconnections between two building elements. The device may be so arranged that the first element of the device is secured relative to the first building element, a column or staircase, or alternatively the first element of the device is secured relative to the second building element, a beam or a stair element. In this application, the expression “adapted for cooperation with a bridge element” should be understood to mean both that a bridge element may be movably arranged in the first element for movement from a retracted position to an extended position for interconnection of the two building elements, in which case the first element comprises devices permitting the bridge element to be moved relative to the first element, or a bridge element which is fixedly mounted relative to the first element of the device before joining the two building elements. When joining the building elements, the second building element may also comprise a lock element for cooperation with the bridge element in order to establish a fixed connection between the two building elements. This second building element may also comprise a solution according to the invention.

According to the invention a first element of the device is embedded in the building element with an elastic sleeve mounted between the first element and the building element, where the elastic sleeve is provided with at least one internal groove, thereby forming at least one cavity between the elastic sleeve and the first element.

According to an aspect of the invention, the at least one groove in the elastic sleeve may extend in one or more directions in an interior surface of the elastic sleeve. The sleeve may be designed with a continuous groove which may be linear, circumscribing an internal circumference of the sleeve, or alternatively as a spiral or it may be curved. In an alternative embodiment the sleeve may comprise several grooves which are linear or curved or a combination thereof. Several grooves may extend substantially parallel inside the sleeve. In a further alternative, the several grooves which may be curved or linear may be arranged so that they intersect, thereby forming a network of grooves inside the sleeve. The depth of the grooves in the interior surface of the sleeve may be substantially identical or vary along a groove or be varied from groove to groove. The width of a groove may also be varied along the groove.

According to an aspect the first element comprises an elongate box element, which is closed with an open end, where this open end is arranged in alignment with a surface of the building element. In this case the elastic sleeve forms a corresponding elongate main portion arranged round this first element, with an inner side of the elastic sleeve in abutment with the first element and with an open end in alignment with a surface of the building element. The elastic sleeve is therefore complementary in shape to the first element. The box element and the elastic sleeve have a longitudinal direction extending from the open end inwards in the box element. The inside of the box element is also designed so that it can cooperate with a bridge element of the joining system for joining the two building elements. This bridge element may be fixedly mounted relative to the first element or movable relative to the first element. Where the bridge element is movable, the elongate element may comprise an access opening extending from the outside of the building element to a rear end of the box element, i.e. the end of the box element which is furthest away from the open end. In this case the outer sleeve with its complementary shape will also be provided with a sleeve portion which is arranged around this access opening.

According to an aspect the elastic sleeve has a square shape in a cross section across the longitudinal direction. In other embodiments the cross section may have a different shape such as round, triangular or polygonal. Where a cross section of the elastic sleeve has four or more sides, the sleeve may be provided with at least one groove in at least two oppositely directed interior partial surfaces, which partial surfaces form the internal surface of the sleeve. In an embodiment the grooves may extend from the open end inwards in the sleeve substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, to a rear end surface of the sleeve.

According to an aspect of the invention, the elastic sleeve may comprise a flange portion at the open end, where a surface of the flange portion is arranged in alignment with a surface of the building element, generally the surface of the flange portion facing away from the rest of the sleeve, at the open end of the sleeve. With such an arrangement of the flange portion aligned with a surface of the building element, an embodiment may be provided where no parts of either the sleeve or the first element project beyond an outer surface of the building element after production of the building element. With such an arrangement, the building element can be manufactured at a factory and transported to the utilisation site without projecting parts, thereby facilitating the transport of the building element from the factory to the utilisation site. The arrangement of the sleeve and the first element in such a manner, where the bridge element is arranged movably within the first element, will also facilitate the joining of the building element since the sleeve and the first element will in no way form a hindrance during the joining procedure for joining the two building elements.

Depending on the area of application, in an embodiment the flange portion of the sleeve may form a frame round the open end of the elastic sleeve. The width of the frame, i.e. the length over which the flange extends from the open end of the sleeve, may be identical round the opening of the sleeve or varied depending on the side of the sleeve. The frame may also be designed so as to extend in such a manner that an edge of the flange portion remains in alignment with a second surface, for example a top, of the building element. In a variant the extent of the frame will correspond to the portion of a gap between the two building elements which are being joined, which gap will be grouted after the building elements have been joined. In this case the width of the frame formed by the flange portion may vary round the circumference of the open end.

In an embodiment of the invention the elastic sleeve has a substantially constant internal cross section, composed of the inner surface of the elongate main portion, along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve, which longitudinal axis extends from the open end to an inner end of the sleeve. In an embodiment the inner end of the sleeve may be open and closed in another version. In an embodiment the elastic sleeve may be of a complementary shape to an outer surface of the first element and be arranged in a covering fashion between the first element and the building element, with the result that there is no direct contact between the building element and the first element. In a variant of the invention this first element may also form the bridge element in the interconnection, where the sleeve covers at least a part of the bridge element located inside one of the building elements.

The invention also comprises a device for joining two building elements, for example a landing and a wall, which device comprises a bridge element which in a working position is in contact with both the first and second building element, connecting the building elements in the same way as indicated above. According to this embodiment of the invention the bridge element is firmly embedded in the interconnection when the building elements are joined with an external elastic sleeve arranged round the bridge element, where the elastic sleeve is provided with at least one internal groove, thereby forming at least one cavity between the elastic sleeve and the bridge element.

In an embodiment of this aspect of the invention the device comprises an elastic flange in contact with the elastic sleeve, with the result that the flange extends in a gap between the two building elements when they are joined.

The present invention also relates to a use of an elastic sleeve, comprising an elongate main portion with an open end, a flange portion arranged as a frame round the open end and at least one internal groove provided in an inner surface of the sleeve, embedded in a building element, with a part of a joining system for joining two building elements arranged inside the elastic sleeve, for joining two building elements. A part of a joining system may be a first element and/or a bridge element. The invention will now be explained in greater detail with reference to the attached figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sleeve for use in a device as illustrated in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 illustrates the sleeve in FIG. 2 viewed in the direction towards the open end,

FIG. 4 is a view from above of the sleeve in FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of a device according to the invention and

FIG. 6 illustrates a third embodiment of a device according to the invention.

In the attached figures the same reference numerals are employed for corresponding elements in the different embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a device according to the invention for interconnection of a first building element 1 and a second building element 2. In the embodiment in FIG. 1 this is accomplished by the first building element 1 comprising a first element 3 embedded in the first building element. This first element 3 is naturally connected with non-illustrated reinforcing elements embedded in the first building element 1. This first element 3 is in the form of a box element 30 with an open end 31 of the box element 30 arranged edge to edge with a first surface 101 of the building element 1. This first building element 1 may be a landing, a beam or stair element, with a second surface 102 and a third surface 103, where the second and third surface may form a top and a bottom of the element respectively. In the box element 30 is mounted a movable bridge element 5. This bridge element 5 can be moved from a non-illustrated retracted position substantially arranged inside the box element 3 to an extended position as illustrated in the figure where the bridge element 5 projects for a distance from the box element 30 and is arranged projecting into a cut-out or a cavity 8 in the second building element 2. In this embodiment the bridge element 5 will be moved between an extended and a retracted position by means of non-illustrated rope devices which are provided in such a manner that by pulling a rope the bridge element is pulled into an extended position and alternatively a second rope may also be provided which when pulled will pull the bridge element into a retracted position. In the lower edge of the bridge element 5 where it abuts against the second building element 2, a bearing plate 6 is provided. In a variant this cavity 8 may also comprise a box element embedded in the second building element 2 in order to form the cavity 8. Normally a gap 7 between the two building elements 1, 2 will be grouted after the building elements 1, 2 are joined.

This may be accomplished by inserting a sealing device (not shown) in the gap 7 between the building elements 1, 2 in the lower edge of the interconnection, i.e. near the surface 103 of the first building element 1, whereupon the gap 7 is filled with grouting compound from the top, filling all the voids in the interconnection.

According to the invention a sleeve 10 of an elastic material is arranged round the box element 30. The sleeve 10 encircles the box element 30 and is embedded in the building element 1 together with the box element 30. The sleeve 10 comprises an elongate main portion 11 and a flange portion 12. The flange portion 12 is arranged so as to extend substantially perpendicularly from a longitudinal axis for the elongate main portion 11, with a surface 14 facing away from the first building element 1 in alignment with the surface 101 of the building element 1.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, which illustrate the sleeve 10 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the sleeve comprises an elongate main portion 11 and a flange portion 12. The main portion 11 has an interior surface 16, which abuts against the box element 30 when the device is assembled. Grooves 17 are provided in this interior surface 17, in the illustrated example two grooves 17 in two partial surfaces 16A, 16C facing each other, since the interior surface 16 in the illustrated example is composed of four partial surfaces 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, arranged so as to form a rectangle in a cross section across the longitudinal axis. These grooves 17 extend from an open end 21 of the main portion 11 and substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the main portion 11 into a rear end 18, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The flange portion 12 extends from the open end 21 and substantially perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal axis. The flange portion 12 extends from the open end 21 and out in all directions, thereby forming a frame round the open end 21, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The flange portion also forms a substantially square frame round the open end 21, with outer edge 13, consisting of outer partial edges 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, where these partial edges 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D extend substantially parallel with the adjacent inner partial surface 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D of the main portion 11. The width of the frame formed by the flange portion 12, which is the distance between the adjacent inner partial surface 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D and the outer partial edge 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D is substantially identical for the whole flange portion 12. This provides a frame which in a cross section relative to the longitudinal axis for the sleeve forms a substantially square outer circumference complementary to an inner cross section of the main portion 11. By means of its shape the flange portion 12 also forms a surface 14 of the flange portion 12, which surface 14 is a surface of the flange portion facing away from the main portion 11. The flange portion 12 also has a rear side 15 facing in the opposite direction of the surface 14, see FIG. 4.

In another embodiment the width of the frame may be varied, the edges of the frame need not be parallel with the adjacent inner lateral surface, the flange portion may form a differently shaped cross section than one which is complementary to the inner cross section of the sleeve.

The thickness of the sleeve may also be varied along and/or round the sleeve and between the main portion and the flange portion. The inner cross section and/or an outer cross section of the sleeve may also be varied along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve.

In FIG. 5 a second embodiment of a device according to the invention is illustrated. A first building element 1 comprises a first element 3, composed of a box element 30 with an open end 31 substantially in alignment with a surface of the first building element 1 facing the second building element 2. In this embodiment the first element 3 comprises an access opening 32 arranged so as to give access to a rear end 32 of the box element 30 from a top 102 of the first building element 1, via the access opening 32. In the box element 30 is mounted a movable bridge element 5. The access opening 32 gives the opportunity of influencing the bridge element 5 mechanically, for example by pushing the rear end 35 of the bridge element 5 in order to push it into an extended position. The bridge element 5 also comprises a stop element 33 for preventing the bridge element 5 from being moved too far out. In an extended position, the bridge element 5 will be arranged in a cavity 8 in the second building element, abutting against a bearing plate 6. In this case too the space 7 between the two building elements 1, 2 will be grouted in an assembled position, thereby firmly embedding the bridge element. In this embodiment of the invention a sleeve 10 is arranged round the bridge element 5, where internal grooves are provided in the sleeve 10, thereby forming a space between the sleeve 10 and the bridge element 5 even when the interconnection is grouted and the sleeve 10 is embedded on the side which is not facing the bridge element 5. In this manner an outer cast material is obtained which forms a part of a building element, a sleeve and an internal element of the joining device with a cavity between the sleeve and the internal element. According to this embodiment a flange element 20 is also provided in contact with the sleeve 10, where the flange element 20 extends over the area of the first surface 101 of the first building element 1 which has to be grouted.

In FIG. 6 a third embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In a corresponding manner to the devices described with reference to the first and second embodiments, this device also comprises a first element 3 embedded in the first building element 1, and a bridge element 5 movably mounted in the first element 3, where the device is grouted after installation so that the bridge element is embedded in the cavity 8 in the second building element 2. In this embodiment, however, the sleeve 10 with internal grooves is arranged round the part of the bridge element 5 located inside the cavity 8 in the second building element 2. In this case too a part of a building element will be cast round a sleeve with a part of the joining device arranged inside at least a part of the sleeve. In this embodiment the sleeve 10 comprises an elongate main portion 11 and a flange portion 12 with an intermediate expanding portion 19, with the result that an open end 21 of the sleeve 10 is larger than an inner end 18 of the sleeve 10. In this embodiment a relatively lower edge of the sleeve 10 forms a straight surface, with the result that the expansion in the expanding portion 19 is performed by giving a relatively upper surface of the portion an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve. In this embodiment the flange portion 12 is shown arranged located on the outside of a surface of the second building element 2. In a variant it may be arranged so that a surface 14 of the flange portion 12 is aligned with a surface of the second building element 2.

The invention has now been explained with reference to embodiments, but a person skilled in the art will understand that changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments as shown, where the changes fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. For example, a device according to the invention may comprise a sleeve arranged both round the box element as well as the bridge element as a combination of the first and third embodiments. Furthermore, the device according to the invention may also be adapted to a joining system where the bridge element is not movably but fixedly connected to a first building element, possibly a column, where the second building element is lifted into place over the bridge element and where these are then grouted, where a sleeve with interior grooves according to the invention may be arranged located round a box element embedded in the first building element. The grooves inside the sleeve may have other shapes than the illustrated rectilinear form. 

1. A device for joining a first building element to a second building element comprising: a bridge element that is in contact with the first and second building elements to connect the first and second building elements when in a working position; and a first element secured to the first building element by being embedded therein, wherein the first element cooperates with the bridge element, wherein an elastic sleeve is arranged between the first element and the first building element, and wherein the elastic sleeve comprises at least one internal groove, thereby forming at least one cavity between the elastic sleeve and the first element.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first element comprises an elongate box element comprising a box open end in alignment with a surface of the first building element, and wherein the elastic sleeve forms an elongate main portion arranged around the first element, with an inner surface of the elastic sleeve in abutment with the first element and with a sleeve open end in alignment with the surface of the first building element.
 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one groove in the elastic sleeve extend from the sleeve open end in a longitudinal direction of the elongate sleeve to a sleeve inner end of the sleeve.
 4. The device according to claim 2, wherein, in a cross section across the longitudinal direction, the elastic sleeve is square with four inner partial surfaces which together form an inner surface and wherein the grooves are formed in at least two oppositely directed inner partial surfaces.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein, at the sleeve open end, the elastic sleeve comprises a flange portion, and wherein a surface of the flange portion is arranged in alignment with a surface of the first building element.
 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the flange portion forms a frame round the sleeve open end of the elastic sleeve.
 7. The device according to claim 2, wherein the elastic sleeve has a substantially constant internal cross section along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve, which longitudinal axis extends from the sleeve open end to a sleeve inner end of the sleeve.
 8. A device for joining a first building element to a second building element, comprising: a bridge element that is in contact with the first and second building elements to connect the first and second building elements when in a working position, wherein the bridge element is firmly embedded in an interconnection when the first and second building elements are joined, wherein an external elastic sleeve is arranged around the bridge element, and wherein the elastic sleeve is provided with at least one internal groove, thereby forming at least one cavity between the elastic sleeve and the bridge element.
 9. The device according to claim 8, further comprising an elastic flange element in contact with the elastic sleeve, wherein the flange element extends in a space between the first and second building elements when joined.
 10. A use of an elastic sleeve, comprising: an elongate main portion with an open end, a flange portion arranged as a frame round the open end at least one internal groove provided in an inner surface of the sleeve, embedded at least partly in a first building element, and a part of a joining system for joining the first building element and a second building element arranged inside the elastic sleeve for joining the first and second building elements.
 11. The device according to claim 3, wherein, in a cross section across the longitudinal direction, the elastic sleeve is square with four inner partial surfaces which together form an inner surface and wherein the grooves are formed in at least two oppositely directed inner partial surfaces. 